When these pastures got muddy, they were muddy! Mid-cannon bone deep in
most places, and just about all of the work was done at a fast trot or a
lope (these cows reminded me of the southern bush Brahmas, even though
they were Herefords!). The cows and calves never walked to the chutes,
no matter how far away you followed!
Anyway, 'Lee preferred to lope versus trotting through the mud. One
reason I could guess at is that she was able to "push" off her big QH
rearend easier at a lope than a trot. We did this for years, and she
never went lame or fell, and she could manuever more securely on turns
at a lope. So, I let her choose. I would advise to let your horse get
accustomed to your weight over mud for awhile before trying any
roll-backs or cutting calves though (snicker)! And of course, make sure
those muscles are warmed up at a walk or slow jog first before picking
up a faster pace (my disclaimer). Have fun!
Oh yeah, expect to lose the shoes sometime as the great Mud God sucks
them to the deep bellows of the earth to replenish the crust's iron
store! Never had any problems with traction when Lee was barefoot,
though.
Kim (and "Where are those *!!@$* cows this time?", 'Lee)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
On Fri, 14 Nov 1997 20:10:44 -0600 (CST), "Glenda R. Snodgrass"
<grs@theneteffect.com> wrote:
(snip)
> and lots of verbal encouragement :). Is it physically easier for him to
> slog through the deep stuff at a canter than a trot, or was this some
> psychological exercise for getting out of it faster?
>
> I've often been warned not to canter in the mud, for fear he'll slip and
> fall (of course, these warnings come from the same people who say not to
> canter on the trail because there are holes, and not to canter on gravel
> roads because he might bruise his feet, etc. <g> )
>
> So, is it okay to canter in the mud? Is it easier for him? Is it
> dangerous? Is it really good conditioning? (seems like it would be)
> It's not like he's not used to going through mud -- down here that's
> normal riding conditions. He wears regular steel shoes all the time.
>
> I'm just curious -- as always! <VBG>
>
> Glenda & Lakota (25 down, 1000s to go!)